P510 2TB SSD Review: Solid Budget PCIe 5.0 Drive, But Not Perfect
▼ Summary
– The Crucial P510 is a budget PCIe 5.0 SSD designed to bridge the gap between the P310 and T710, offering unique features despite a niche market.
– The P510 performs well in PCIe 5.0 and 4.0 slots, competing with top PCIe 4.0 SSDs in efficiency but falls short of the fastest drives due to its DRAM-less, four-channel design.
– It delivers consistent sustained write performance due to its small cache, addressing a weakness seen in the T500, making it suitable for specific applications.
– Available in 1TB ($99.99) and 2TB ($179.99) variants, the P510 has competitive pricing but faces challenges due to higher costs compared to budget PCIe 4.0 drives.
– The SSD uses Micron’s 276-layer TLC flash and a Phison E31T controller, offering solid performance but with trade-offs in power efficiency and design peculiarities.
The Crucial P510 2TB SSD delivers solid PCIe 5.0 performance at a budget-friendly price, though it isn’t without compromises. Positioned between the P310 and T710 in Crucial’s lineup, this drive targets users who want next-gen speeds without breaking the bank. While it shines in certain scenarios, its niche appeal raises questions about who exactly should consider it over existing PCIe 4.0 alternatives.
Performance-wise, the P510 holds its own with sequential read speeds up to 11,000 MB/s and writes at 9,500 MB/s, numbers that rival some of the best PCIe 4.0 drives. Its four-channel, DRAM-less design improves efficiency, though it can’t match the raw speed of premium PCIe 5.0 models. Where it stands out is consistent sustained write performance, addressing a weakness seen in Crucial’s earlier T500 model. This makes it a viable option for workloads requiring steady throughput, even if everyday users won’t notice much difference.
Priced at $179.99 for the 2TB model, the P510 competes with mid-range PCIe 4.0 SSDs like the PNY CS2150 and Addlink G55. However, its PCIe 5.0 compatibility gives it an edge in future-proofing for systems with newer motherboards. Oddly, the 2TB variant is slightly slower than the 1TB version, a quirk that might stem from firmware tuning or component choices.
Build and compatibility are strong points. The single-sided M.2 2280 design fits easily into laptops, and backward compatibility with PCIe 4.0 slots ensures broad usability. Crucial includes Storage Executive software for drive management and Acronis True Image for cloning, matching offerings from rivals like Samsung and WD.
Under the hood, the Phison E31T controller pairs with Micron’s 276-layer TLC NAND, a departure from the Kioxia flash used in competing drives. This combination delivers decent speeds but may lag in power efficiency compared to alternatives like the WD Black SN8100. The inclusion of high-speed signal switches hints at efforts to optimize performance, though their impact on real-world use remains subtle.
Warranty and endurance are standard for the segment, with a five-year coverage and 1,200TBW rating for the 2TB model. While not groundbreaking, these specs align with expectations for a budget-oriented PCIe 5.0 drive.
Ultimately, the P510 is a capable but niche choice. It makes sense for builders seeking affordable PCIe 5.0 storage or those prioritizing sustained write speeds. Yet, with PCIe 4.0 drives offering similar performance at lower prices, its value depends heavily on your system’s capabilities and future upgrade plans.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware)
